Key Takeaways
- Chemotherapy uses drugs — taken orally or injected — to stop cancer cell growth. A specialized form called hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) heats the drugs before delivery to potentially kill more cancer cells.
- Surgery options range from less invasive procedures like pleurodesis (scarring the pleural space to stop fluid buildup) to more extensive operations like extrapleural pneumonectomy, which removes a lung, the diaphragm, and portions of the chest and heart lining.
- Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells and is typically used alongside surgery to prevent further growth.
- Immunotherapy trains the body’s own immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Immune checkpoint inhibitors — which block proteins that shield cancer cells — are a growing area of treatment.
- Complementary treatments like yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and hypnosis can be used alongside medical treatments to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
- Treatment options depend heavily on the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis — early-stage patients generally have the widest range of curative options.
There are many different treatment options for mesothelioma, depending on what stage a patient is in. These options include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy and other complimentary treatments.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a method of administering drugs that are used to stop the growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be taken by mouth or can be injected into a vein or muscle. Chemotherapy drugs travel through the bloodstream. A specific type of chemotherapy that is used to treat mesothelioma patients is hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, and this is when anti-cancer drugs are heated before they are administered to the patient. Doing this may kill more cancer cells. It is important to note that chemotherapy can have a lot of adverse side effects. Some side effects include hair loss, vomiting and nausea.
Surgery
Some patients that have malignant mesothelioma have surgery at some point during treatment. For malignant mesothelioma in the chest, a surgery that may be used includes pleurodesis, which uses chemicals to create a scar in the area between the layers of the pleura. This causes the build-up of fluid in the pleural cavity to cease. Another type of surgical procedure includes a wide local excision, which is a surgery that takes out the cancer along with healthy tissue around the cancer cells. Another option is a pleurectomy and decortication, which removes some of the covering of the lining of the chest and the lungs and also a section of the outside area of the lungs. An additional surgery some patients may undergo is an extrapleural pneumonectomy. This involves the removal of a lung, the diaphragm, the lining of the sac around the heart and a portion of the lining of the chest. Some other common procedures for malignant mesothelioma include biopsies for diagnosis, which can include thoracoscopy, fine needle aspiration, core needle biopsy, incisional biopsy, mediastinoscopy and laparoscopy. Palliative procedures have the aim of improving a patient’s overall quality of life. Procedures include paracentesis, pleurodesis, pericardiocentesis and thoracentesis. There are also curative surgeries.
Radiation
Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill cancer cells and is usually administered with surgery and is also used to keep cancer cells from growing. External radiation therapy is a form of radiation therapy that utilizes a machine outside the body that sends radiation toward the section of the body that has the cancer.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a form of treatment that teaches the patient’s immune system to find and destroy cancer cells just like it does with other illnesses. This is a biologic therapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy is being used as a form of immunotherapy and it is when these inhibitors block the protein in some cancer cells. This allows for the body’s T cells to have a better chance of killing the cancer.
Complementary Treatments
Complementary treatments can include yoga, meditation, hypnosis and acupuncture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main treatment options for mesothelioma?
The primary treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. Many patients receive a combination of these treatments, known as multimodal therapy. Complementary treatments like yoga, meditation, and acupuncture may also be used alongside medical treatments to help manage symptoms.
What is hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC)?
HIPEC is a specialized form of chemotherapy where anti-cancer drugs are heated before being administered directly into the body. The heating process may help kill more cancer cells than standard chemotherapy. It is specifically used in some mesothelioma treatment plans, particularly for peritoneal mesothelioma patients.
What types of surgery are used to treat mesothelioma?
Several surgical procedures may be used depending on the stage and location of the cancer:
- Pleurodesis — uses chemicals to scar the pleural space and stop fluid buildup
- Wide local excision — removes the cancer along with some surrounding healthy tissue
- Pleurectomy and decortication — removes the lining of the chest and lungs, along with part of the lung’s outer surface
- Extrapleural pneumonectomy — the most extensive option, removing a lung, the diaphragm, the lining of the heart sac, and part of the chest lining
Palliative procedures like paracentesis, thoracentesis, and pericardiocentesis may also be used to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
How does immunotherapy work for mesothelioma?
Immunotherapy teaches the patient’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells the way it would fight other illnesses. One approach being used is immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, which blocks certain proteins on cancer cells that would otherwise prevent the body’s T cells from destroying them. By removing that shield, the immune system can more effectively target the cancer.
Does the stage of mesothelioma affect which treatments are available?
Yes. Patients diagnosed at earlier stages (1 or 2) generally have the widest range of treatment options, including curative surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy. By Stage 3, surgery may no longer be an option, but chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and palliative care are still available. At Stage 4, treatment typically focuses on palliative procedures to manage symptoms and improve comfort.
What complementary treatments can help mesothelioma patients?
Complementary therapies like yoga, meditation, hypnosis, and acupuncture are sometimes used alongside conventional medical treatments. These approaches don’t treat the cancer itself, but can help patients manage pain, reduce stress, and improve overall quality of life during treatment.
Where can I learn more about mesothelioma treatment options in Pennsylvania?
For information about treatment centers, doctors, and resources available to mesothelioma patients in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, request our free Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Information Guide or call (800) 505-6000.
